Shoe having an improved upper

ABSTRACT

Shoe ( 1 ) including an outer sole assembly ( 2 ) and an upper ( 3 ), the shoe ( 1 ) extending lengthwise from a rear end ( 4 ) to a front end ( 5 ), widthwise between a lateral side ( 6 ) and a medial side ( 7 ), and height-wise from the sole assembly ( 2 ) to an upper end ( 12 ), the upper end ( 12 ) demarcating a rear opening ( 13 ), the upper ( 3 ) including a first envelope ( 14 ). The first envelope ( 14 ) includes a rear portion ( 20 ), which itself includes a lateral wall ( 21 ), a rear wall ( 22 ) and a medial wall ( 23 ), the rear portion ( 20 ) being porous or having low resistance to the passage of a fluid. The first envelope ( 14 ) includes a front portion ( 25 ), which itself includes a lateral wall ( 26 ), a front wall ( 27 ) and a medial wall ( 28 ), the front portion ( 25 ) being resistant to the passage of fluid or being impervious.

The invention relates to sports or walking shoes, including an outer sole assembly and an upper, the upper for each shoe including an envelope adapted to cover the foot. The sole assembly and the upper of each shoe are flexible to allow for good rolling movement of the foot and bending or inclination of the lower leg of a user. The shoes can be used in fields such as walking, running on smooth or rough terrain, cycling, a ball-playing sport, or the like.

For the intended uses, it is desired that the foot be received with sufficient comfort, making sure in particular that temperature and moisture are properly managed in the shoe. This is important in foot race, for example, an activity for which the user performance is conditioned, among other things, by these factors.

It has long been known to make the upper of a shoe with one or more layers of materials such as leather, fabrics of natural or synthetic fibers, or any equivalent.

The upper of this shoe is generally well suited for the activity being performed; it provides sufficient comfort to the foot, by keeping it warm without excess. However, comfort may become insufficient in certain cases.

This happens when the shoe is used, for example, in the rain, on wet grass, or when immersed in water along the route of a race. Indeed, it suffices to cross a stream or walk in a puddle.

The aforementioned conditions of use cause water ingress within the shoe. Indeed, the constituent materials of the upper have a certain porosity which, in the long run, enables water ingress. The upper gradually soaks up to saturation, a threshold from which water ingress is possible. This phenomenon is especially noticed at the front of the shoe for, with the moving speed, this is the portion that is the most exposed. Consequently, water penetrates mostly through the front. It follows that the shoe becomes uncomfortable; the foot gets cold; the skin may become irritated, thereby promoting injuries.

To improve the shoes, the prior art has sought to prevent the ingress of water. To this end, the upper of a shoe has been made impervious.

For example, it has been provided to add a membrane in the thickness of the upper. The membrane, generally made of a thin synthetic material, prevents the passage of water. Therefore, water cannot sift through to enter the shoe, even if the outer layers of the upper are saturated. This preserves the foot from intrusions. However, in certain cases, comfort may still become insufficient.

This happens for example when the shoe is used for an extended period of time or with intensity. In this case, the foot perspires, which means that it produces water. This water cannot be evacuated out of the shoe, due to the shoe being impervious. This creates conditions in which each of the user's feet is paradoxically hot and humid. Although this enables the user to preserve good mobility, this situation also causes irritation that can lead to injuries.

Thus, it appears that the shoes according to the prior art are not completely satisfactory, in the sense that they do not provide adequate comfort in all situations, or throughout a phase of use. This is especially true for running shoes, during sporting events lasting several hours, and during which the weather conditions and stresses associated with the use of the shoe are varied.

In view of the foregoing, the invention has the overall object to improve a shoe intended for the practices referred to in the preamble. In particular, the object of the invention is to preserve comfort in the shoe. More specifically, the invention seeks to reduce, or even eliminate, the amount of water that can be found in the shoe.

To this end, the invention proposes a shoe including an outer sole assembly and an upper, the shoe extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and height-wise from the outer sole assembly to an upper end, the upper end demarcating a rear opening, the upper including a first envelope.

The shoe according to the invention is characterized in that the first envelope includes a rear portion, which itself includes a lateral wall, a rear wall, and a medial wall, the rear portion being at least partially porous or having low resistance to the passage of a fluid, and in that the first envelope includes a front portion, which itself includes a lateral wall, a front wall, and a medial wall, the front portion being resistant to the passage of a fluid or being watertight.

The front portion of the first envelope prevents or considerably reduces the water penetration within the upper, at the front of the shoe. Given that it is the front portion that is the most exposed to splashing water, for example during race because of the speed, most of the risks of water penetration into the shoe are avoided. The rear portion of the first envelope readily or very easily enables the evacuation of the water that can be in the upper. This portion does not receive, or only slightly receives water splashes. But the water has been able to enter or which is produced by the foot can be evacuated. The idea underlying the present invention is to evacuate the excess water, even if keeping a residual amount, in order to remain below a threshold beyond which the shoe can become uncomfortable.

In the end, the excess water is eliminated. Even if a little bit of water remains in the envelope of the upper, it is in small quantity, sometimes in very small quantity, if at all. In any event, the user's foot remains exposed to an atmosphere having sufficiently low rates of humidity, compared to the rates obtained with the shoes according to the prior art. A resulting advantage is an increased level of comfort. Notably, during a race on wet ground, which can last several hours, the foot, due to the invention, is surprisingly subject to very little exposure, if any, to water, and user comfort is markedly increased. As a result, the foot is well preserved. Consequently, the athletic performance is improved.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings illustrating, by way of a non-limiting embodiment, how the invention can be embodied, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shoe according to the described embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a first envelope and of the outer sole assembly of the shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along the line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a wall of the front portion of the first envelope of the shoe of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a wall of the rear portion of the first envelope of the shoe of FIG. 1.

The embodiment described below relates to running shoes, for example. However, the invention is applicable to other fields, such as those mentioned above.

The proposed embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

As shown in FIG. 1, a running shoe is provided to receive the user's foot. Conventionally, the shoe 1 includes an outer sole assembly 2 and an upper 3 affixed to the sole assembly. The shoe extends lengthwise along a longitudinal direction L, between a rear end, or tail 4, and a front end, or tip 5, and widthwise along a transverse direction W, between a lateral side 6 and a medial side 7.

As shown, the upper 3 includes a lower portion 10 provided to cover the foot, but is devoid of any upper portion. However, the invention also applies to a shoe including an upper portion, provided to cover the ankle and possibly a portion of the lower leg of the user.

According to the described embodiment, the upper 3, and therefore also the lower portion 10, has a top or upper end 12. Thus, the shoe extends height-wise, from the outer sole assembly 2 to the upper end 12.

It is observed that the upper end 12 demarcates a rear opening 13 located near the rear end 4, adapted to receive the bottom of the ankle or a portion of the ankle.

The shoe 1 is structured to allow tilting of the lower leg when operating a board, good foot rolling movement when walking, transmission of sensory information, and transmission of impulses for supports or landings. This is why the outer sole assembly 2 and the upper 3 are relatively flexible.

In a non-limiting fashion, the upper 3 includes a first envelope 14, shown schematically in FIG. 2. The first envelope 14 forms the inner portion of the upper 3. Therefore, the first envelope 14 demarcates the heel 4, the tip 5, and the lateral 6 and medial 7 sides of the upper 3. In addition, the upper 3 includes a second envelope 15, shown in FIG. 1, which covers the first envelope 14. By corollary, the second envelope 15 also demarcates the heel 4, the tip 5, and the lateral 6 and medial 7 sides of the upper 3. It is seen more clearly below that the second envelope 15 reinforces the shoe 1, by preserving its flexibility, particularly by being active for the reversible tightening of the upper.

According to the invention, in particular with regard to FIG. 2, the first envelope 14, which is actually an inner envelope adapted to cover the foot directly, includes a rear portion 20, which itself includes a lateral wall 21, a rear wall 22, and a medial wall 23, the rear portion 20 being porous or having low resistance to the passage of a fluid.

It is possible to provide that only a portion of the rear portion 20 be porous. Still according to the invention, the first envelope 14 includes a front portion 25, which itself includes a lateral wall 26, a front wall 27, and a medial wall 28, the front portion 25 being resistant to the passage of a fluid or being impervious. The fluid in question is water, whether from the outside or the inside of the shoe.

Thus structured, the inner envelope 14 completely or considerably blocks the passage of water in its front portion. This is particularly useful in foot race because, due to the moving speed, the front of the shoe 1 directly and forcefully receives possible water splashes. These water splashes come, for example, from rain, dew on the grass, or the like. As a result, the foot is protected against water intrusion, at least excess water.

Depending on the application selected, the inner envelope 14 allows a slight or a more substantial passage of water in its rear portion, leading to partial, or complete, evacuation of the water that has entered into the shoe, either by penetration from the outside, or by production by the foot. The fact that the rear is not impervious surprisingly makes it possible to adequately evacuate moisture.

In the end, the shoe 1 is structured to limit the amount of water that it can contain, by remaining below a threshold that preserves comfort.

In a non-limiting fashion, the lateral 21, rear 22, and medial 23 walls of the rear portion 20 of the first envelope 14 form a continuous element. This simplifies the manufacture and promotes a uniform contact of the rear portion of the foot with the envelope 14, for better comfort and more lightness.

In the same spirit, the lateral 26, front 27, and medial 28 walls of the front portion 25 of the first envelope 14 form a continuous element. Again, this simplifies the manufacture and promotes a uniform contact of the front portion of the foot with the envelope 14, for better comfort and more lightness.

It is observed that the rear 20 and front 25 portions each extend over the entire height of the upper 3, that is to say, depending on the embodiment proposed, along the entire height of the lower portion 10. This provides the shoe 1 with its porosity or imperviousness properties over its entire height.

It is noted that the rear 20 and front 25 portions of the first envelope 14 are butt-joined, in the sense that they are co-extensive. This accurately separates the surface of the envelope 14, which allows water passage, from the surface of the envelope, which does not allow, or only very slightly allows, water passage.

Generally speaking, the junction 29 of the lateral walls 21, 26 of the front 25 and rear 20 portions, as well as the junction 30 of the medial walls 23, 28 of the front 25 and rear 20 portions, are each located at a distance between 35 and 70% of the length of the shoe 1, from the front end 5, knowing that values of 45 to 60% have yielded good results. In fact, this distribution promotes keeping the front of the foot at a comfortable temperature. This is to protect the front of the foot, especially the toes, from excess temperature, especially from the cold. Indeed, it is towards the end of the foot that blood flow is the least substantial.

As can be understood with reference to FIG. 5, the lateral 21, rear 22, and medial 23 walls of the rear portion 20 include three layers 35, 36, 37. For example, it is provided to impart different characteristics on these layers, so as to optimize the properties of the walls 21, 22, 23. According to the described, but non-limiting, embodiment, the first layer 35 is a conventional liner provided to be in contact with the foot. As such, it is made, for example, from a thin fabric structured to withstand the friction of the foot on the walls. Then, the second layer 36, sandwiched between the other layers, brings comfort. It may be thicker, for example made of mesh fabric, honeycomb foam, or any equivalent material. Finally, the third layer 37 is a protective layer adapted to protect the second layer 36 from pressure or friction generated by the second envelope 15.

In the same context, the lateral 26, front 27, and medial 28 walls of the front portion 25 include four layers 41, 42, 43, 44. Again, it is provided to impart different characteristics on these layers to optimize the properties of the walls 26, 27, 28. In a non-limiting fashion, the first layer 41 is a liner provided to contact the foot, as for the rear portion 20. Then, the second layer 42 is sandwiched between two other layers 41, 43, for added comfort, as for the rear portion 20. But here, differently, the lateral 26, front 27, and medial 28 walls of the front portion 25 include a waterproof layer 43. This layer 43 is also sandwiched between two other layers 42, 44. The layer 43 is thin, or very thin, with a thickness of less than 1.0 mm, knowing that thicknesses of less than 0.2 mm have yielded good results. The waterproof layer 43 is made, for example, of a film of synthetic material, such as polyethylene, polyamide, polyurethane, or any equivalent material. Optionally, the layer 43 may be breathable and waterproof. Finally, there is a protective layer 44, as for the rear portion 20. In the end, it is the entire portion 25 that is made impervious by the waterproof layer 43.

Complementary, but not essentially, the upper 3 of the shoe 1 is structured to facilitate foot insertion and foot removal. As such, the upper end 12 demarcates a central opening 48, which extends the rear opening 13 forward, and the shoe 1 includes a tongue 49 provided to at least partially close the central opening 48.

To tighten the upper 3 reversibly, the shoe 1 is provided with a reversible tightening device. By way of example, the tightening device includes a lace 51, keepers 52, and a reversible blocking device 53, in an arrangement well known to one with ordinary skill in the art. The lace runs through the keepers, from one side 6 to the other side 7 of the shoe.

In the context of the invention, the tongue 49 includes a front portion 55 that is resistant to the passage of a fluid or is impervious, as well as a rear portion 56 that is porous or has low resistance to the passage of a fluid. The tongue 49 completes the role of the rear 20 and front 25 portions. Therefore the front portion 55 of the tongue 49 is provided to be, for example, in the area of the front portion 25 of the envelope 14, and for the rear portion 56 of the tongue 49 to be in the area of the rear portion 20 of the envelope 14.

Thus, the front portion 55 of the tongue 49 includes four layers 41, 42, 43, 44 which, for example, are the same and are arranged in the same manner as in the case of the front portion 25. What has been said for this portion therefore applies to the front portion 55 of the tongue. in particular, the front portion 55 of the tongue 49 includes a waterproof layer 43.

On the same principle, the rear portion 56 of the tongue 49 includes three layers 35, 36, 37 which, for example, are the same and are arranged in the same manner as in the case of the rear portion 20. What has been said for this portion therefore applies to the rear portion 56 of the tongue.

In addition, it is observed that the shoe 1 is provided with a protective flap 61, which extends above the tongue 49 and is affixed to the second envelope 15 by a means shown in the form of seams 62. The flap prevents the intrusion of foreign bodies, such as pebbles, twigs, or the like, into the shoe. The flap can be an elastic, reversibly expandable fabric to follow the surface variations of the central opening 48, especially during foot insertion and foot removal.

The shaping of the upper 3 is carried out in conventional manner, with a lasting board 63, affixed to the first envelope 14 and second envelope 15, by an affixing means shown in the form of a seam 64. Any other means, such as glue, could be used.

Then, the assembly comprised of the upper 3 and the lasting board 63 is affixed to the outer sole assembly 2, for example by gluing.

In non-limiting fashion, the outer sole assembly 2 includes a wear layer 65 made of rubber, for example, as well as a damping layer 66 including, for example, a foam of synthetic material, such as ethyl-vinyl-acetate (EVA), or any equivalent.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, also provided is an insole 67, positioned within the upper 3, and therefore also within the first envelope 14, opposite the lasting board 63.

The structure selected to construct the shoe 1 preserves the flexibility of the outer sole assembly 2 and the upper 3. Indeed, all of the elements used to build it are flexible, and the seams 64, themselves flexible, preserve the flexibility of the assembly.

In any case, the invention is made from materials and according to implementation techniques known to one with ordinary skill in the art.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and includes all technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.

In particular, other arrangements of the constituent layers of the rear 20 and front 25 portions of the first envelope 14 can be provided. 

1. Shoe (1) including an outer sole assembly (2) and an upper (3), the shoe (1) extending lengthwise from a rear end (4) to a front end (5), widthwise between a lateral side (6) and a medial side (7), and height-wise from the sole assembly (2) to an upper end (12), the upper end (12) demarcating a rear opening (13), the upper (3) including a first envelope (14), characterized in that the first envelope (14) includes a rear portion (20), which itself includes a lateral wall (21), a rear wall (22), and a medial wall (23), the rear portion (20) being at least partially porous or having low resistance to the passage of a fluid, and in that the first envelope (14) includes a front portion (25), which itself includes a lateral wall (26), a front wall (27) and a medial wall (28), the front portion (25) being resistant to the passage of a fluid or being impervious.
 2. Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral (21), rear (22) and medial (23) walls of the rear portion (20) of the first envelope (14) form a continuous element.
 3. Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral (26), front (27) and medial (28) walls of the front portion (25) of the first envelope (14) form a continuous element.
 4. Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear (20) and front (25) portions of the first envelope (14) are butt-joined.
 5. Shoe (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the junction (29) of the lateral walls (21, 26), front (25) and rear (20) portions, as well as the junction (30) of medial walls (23, 28) of the front (25) and rear (20) portions, are each located at a distance between 35 and 70% of the length of the shoe (1), from the front end (5).
 6. Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral (21), rear (22) and medial (23) walls of the rear portion (20) include three layers (35, 36, 37).
 7. Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral (26), front (27) and medial (28) walls of the front portion (25) include four layers (41, 42, 43, 44).
 8. Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral (26), front (27) and medial (28) walls of the front portion (25) include a waterproof layer (43).
 9. Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper end (12) demarcates a central opening (48) extending the rear opening (13) forward, and in that it includes a tongue (49) adapted to at least partially close the central opening (48).
 10. Shoe (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the tongue (49) includes a front portion (55) that is resistant to the passage of a fluid or is impervious, as well as a rear portion (56) that is porous or has low resistance to the passage of a fluid.
 11. Shoe (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the front portion (55) of the tongue (49) includes four layers (41, 42, 43, 44).
 12. Shoe (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the front portion (55) of the tongue (49) includes a waterproof layer (43).
 13. Shoe (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the rear portion (56) of the tongue (49) includes three layers (35, 36, 37).
 14. Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a second envelope (15) which covers the first envelope (14).
 15. Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer sole assembly (2) and the upper (3) are flexible. 